Revisit: ‘Nobody,’ a Short Video Journey into Homelessness

In coming weeks, advocacy groups and volunteers who fight homelessness will conduct their annual count of people living on the streets of Oklahoma communities.

This short video, filmed in 2013, follows Danny, a Norman man who lost his job and learned what it was like to look for warmth and food, search for work and deal with the stigma. He refused to panhandle.

“I don’t dress like I’m homeless. I don’t think I look like I’m homeless. But when you’re walking around a lot, people just know.”

Dan Straughan, executive director of the Homeless Alliance in Oklahoma City, said despite successful efforts to place more of the chronically homeless and homeless veterans in housing, there are early signs of a surge in homelessness. The “Point in Time” count of the homeless will be on Jan. 28.

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“We’re seeing some numbers go up,” he said, referring to clients at Grace Rescue Mission, City Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army and recipients of free lunches at a program sponsored by the Mayflower Congregational Church.

“Despite the progress we’ve made the last year, it appears the pipeline is filling up faster than we can empty it,” Straughan said.

“Nobody” was filmed and produced by David Tester and Christopher Hunt for Oklahoma City-based 1577 Productions. The video was funded by One Vision One Voice, a coalition of nonprofits in Norman. It was shown at the 2014 deadCenter Film Festival.

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